Angelica’s lips parted slightly, the surprise echoing in her eyes. But she stilled, her breathing evening out. “Let me think about that one, will you?”
“We go back in nine days.”
“Uh-huh.” Angelica stepped toward the door. “And I’ll have an answer for you in eight.”
“Why eight?” Hope skipped a step to follow her quickly. But Angelica didn’t respond. “Angel? Why eight?” she asked again.
But Angelica just tossed a smirk over her shoulder as she headed out of the studio. That was the only answer Hope was going to receive.
Chapter
Forty-Six
“Just letme know when you want to be picked up,” Lyric said before she pulled away from the curb.
Angelica stilled. This wasn’t really happening, was it? She’d planned it all out, but those plans had changed so many times over, that she wasn’t entirely sure it would all work out in the end. Her heels clacked against the cement as they walked down the steep hill toward the beach in front of them.
The sun had already set an hour ago, and Angelica had given up on even attempting to get out there before then. It wouldn’t matter in the end anyway, would it? She’d been enjoying the date with Hope too much to push the time and stress both of them out. She just wanted to enjoy the few minutes of uninterrupted time that they had together.
“What made you think of coming to the beach?” Hope asked.
Angelica shrugged slightly as they stepped near the sand. She didn’t hesitate as she reached down to pull her heels off and hook the straps on her fingers. The first step into the cold sand was shocking, but Angelica didn’t stop there. Looking over her shoulder at Hope, she simply waited for Hope to follow her lead and come out there with her.
She wanted to feel the water against her toes, the cold shock that would bring her back to the reality that she was creating. Because if anyone had told her four years ago that she would be standing there with someone she loved and who equally loved her back, she would have told them they were a liar. She’d never thought…
“Angel! What are you doing?” Hope squeaked. But she ripped off her tennis shoes and carried them on her two fingers as she chased after her.
“Do you know how many times we’ve been on a coast, and we haven’t managed to get to the beach?” Angelica took Hope’s hand and walked directly toward the beach and down the edge of sand that would lead her to the water, to right where the sand would be wet and squish between her toes.
“I haven’t really counted,” Hope said as she followed closely. “But tonight? Really?”
“Yes.” Angelica laughed lightly, keeping up her pace and continuing in the same direction. Because she wanted to do this. She wanted to feel the lightness and freedom that she’d been searching decades for. Because that was exactly what she’d found in Hope. Eventually. “Come on!”
When they reached the water’s edge, Angelica stopped, letting the waves rush against her ankles and calves. Hope glowered, her black slacks getting wet instantly. But she didn’t complain. Not outwardly anyway.
“When’s the last time you took a walk along the beach, Hope?” Angelica held her hand tightly, fingers laced. And she wasn’t going to let go. Not until she had to.
“I honestly can’t remember.” Hope sighed lightly and seemed to relax finally. “Probably with Eva.”
Angelica tossed her a smile as she stared out at the stars and the dark sea in front of them. “Do you know how many people fear the ocean? Especially at night?”
Hope seemed to hesitate, but she also seemed willing to entertain whatever mood Angelica was in right now. Which was going to work to Angelica’s advantage. “Too many.”
“It’s a dark void that we can’t see into.” Angelica flicked her toes into the water, but the droplets disappeared into the black emptiness in front of them. “But when there’s daylight, when there’shope, then we can see into it.”
“You’re worrying me a bit, I’m not going to lie to you.” Hope tugged Angelica’s hand a little. “You’re not going to jump in and swim, are you?”
“No.” Angelica laughed again, and she didn’t move any closer to the waves as they crashed onto the beach. The water was freezing, and she’d have to move shortly, but not yet. She was trying to explain something to Hope, and she wasn’t making herself clear. She really should stay away from metaphors. “I love you, Hope.”
“I love you, too,” Hope answered, pulling Angelica a step closer and dropping a kiss onto her cheek.
“Marry me.”
“What?” Hope spun on her, another wave crashing onto their feet.
“Will you marry me?” Angelica corrected. “I know we haven’t talked about it or any details about our future going forward?—”
“Yes.”
